Question

What are the two equations that apply to the points?

Answer 1

The answer is:

`m=(-1(-2))/(-3-5)=-(3)/(8)`

`m=(-2-1)/(5-(-3))=-(3)/(8)`

The explanation is shown below:

1. You have the following formula for calculate the slope:

`m=(y_2-y_1)/(x_2-x_1)`

2. The points given in the problem are:

(5,-2) and (-3,1)

Therefore:

`y_2=1\\y_1=-2\\x_2=-3\\x_1=5`

3. When you substitute these values into the formula for calculate the slope, you obtain:

`m=(1-(-2))/(-3-5)=-(3)/(8)` (The first option)

4. You can also use the following formula for calculate the slope:

`m=(y_1-y_2)/(x_1-x_2)`

5. When you substitute values, you obtain:

`m=(-2-1)/(5-(-3))=-(3)/(8)` (The fourth option)